Mental Health Professional in Criminal Justice - Assignment Example

Mental Health Professional in Criminal Justice This paper is focused on different aspects of mental health consulting in the system of criminal justice. Their help is required both for the imprisoned persons and police officers. On the basis of research questions different aspects Mental Health Professional counseling are considered in detail. Key words: forensic psychology, police officer, inmate, mental health. 1. Describe the type of position within the realm of a Mental Health Professional you are researching (and the names that are usually given to identify it.) Include where this position is located within the Criminal Justice system. Forensic psychology is based on the intersection between psychology and criminal justice system. On the verge of intersection of these two sciences, a psychologist is able to tell about different psychological deviances in the courtroom. To achieve credibility of a psychologists practices, it is desirable to correlate both theoretical and practical approaches in their work. A forensic psychologist, as a rule, is competent in one of particular spheres of his interests. There is a need for the forensic psychologists to develop their specific recommendations and regulations and apply them for specific local, social or federal needs. 2. What is the gender, age range, type of offenses, length of incarceration, diagnosis, etc are usually the clients with which the position interacts. Usually the clients of forensic psychologists are males of a middle age. They can be also ranging from ethnical minorities to the national Americans. Of course, the criminals, who committed violent practices or rape, are very often come across the necessity to consult with a forensic psychologist. Moreover, murders or robbing, as well as sexual offences if committed are supervised by the forensic psychologists. Police officers with a different experience are also subjected to practical counseling of Mental Health Professionals. 3. What are some statistics on local and state inmates who are receiving mental health services? In accordance with data obtained in 2006, the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) claimed that 705,600 mentally ill adults were imprisoned in the local prisons of America. 78,800 were imprisoned in the Federal prisons and 479,900 in local jails (Consulting Police Psychologist Guideline, 2011). Moreover it was found out that people, who are suffering from mental illnesses, have overpopulated probation and parole populations. Growing numbers of mentally ill offenders have strained correctional systems.  4. What is the composition of the staff in the unit this person might be on? (For example, psychiatrist, psychologist, nurse, master’s level mental health professional, mental health technician, correctional officer, and so on.) Very often it has been claimed that forensic psychologists have a part time job and are often work surrounded by MH professionals, counselors etc. There is no special nurse and very often each inmate housing unit had 2 officers per shift. Actually, there are many representatives of different medical personnel working at a special unit, which specifies on different psychological institutions. A special work of forensic psychologists is mainly focused on different aspects of professional activities of police officers and inmates deviances. 5. What type of activities does the position chosen perform on the unit? This Mental Health Professional provides hospital staff members with information about a proper mental health treatment and appropriate care. It is relevant to focus on mental health issues and all people, inmates and prison guards etc are subjected to the informative and educational function of forensic psychologists. The main goal is to prevent the expansion of mental health illnesses and raise awareness of human rights. 6. Describe what this person is required to do in a typical day on the unit? It is very important for forensic psychologists in the unit to provide their patients with access to appropriate health care in psychiatric wards of general hospitals. Mental health should be positioned as the sphere of the main concern for the prisoners and psychologists should pay a great attention to clarification of health issues to the staff. 7. What type of therapy is typically provided to the inmates? (For example, pharmacotherapy, group therapy, individual therapy, and so on.) In case of violence treatment psychopharmacological intervention was not used. With respect to current researchers and scientists, the majority of violent offenders would neither “require nor benefit from” medication for their violent impulses (Bartol and Bartol, 2008). In some special cases it is important to apply a medication approach. 8. Is there any particular theoretical orientation used on the unit? Mental Health Professionals refer to theoretical and practical issues in their practices. Professional clinicians are focused on broad-based, balanced guidelines for students.  One of the most important approaches is a biopsychosocial approach. More than 20% of the American prisoners are treated in terms of this treatment approach. 9. Would this person deal directly with the inmate’s complex risk factors that lead to criminal behavior, such as genetics, family situations, and environmental factors. If not, do they interact with the person in the unit that does? A forensic psychologist is dealing with potential risk factors and takes into account environmental risks. Of course, family interaction plays a decisive role in potential criminal behavior. A positive social influence and a positive environment determine correctional measures applied for the criminals. 10. Describe any prevention programs directly administered by this person? R.J. Gregory outlined in his work  Psychological Testing: History, Principles, and Application, the main strategies, which are relevant to management of prisoners: Processing of potential malingering Evaluation of a mental health of a prisoner To predict violence and evaluate risk etc In accordance with "Consulting Police Psychologist Guideline": "a consulting police psychologist refrains from entering a multiple relationship if the multiple relationship could reasonably be expected to impair the psychologist’s objectivity, competence, or effectiveness in performing his or her functions as a psychologist, or otherwise risks exploitation or harm to the person with whom the professional relationship exists" (Consulting Police Psychologist Guideline, 2011). 11. What type of educational background is necessary to achieve this person’s occupation? Both psychological and legal studies are important in education of a forensic psychologist. Students with their major in psychology should be focused on the legal issues. The second option is to apply for a system of certification developed in America. Thus, a bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD in psychology is very important in further employment of a forensic psychologist. 12. Can you find any estimates on the starting salary for a recent graduate with a master’s degree in forensic psychology? In accordance with recent statistical data, approximate salary of a forensic psychologist is $86,000 annually. 13. Consider and compare the requirements in education and experience required for this position and offer your thoughts on your ability to obtain a similar position? To my mind, the most important factor in education of forensic psychologists is awareness of a potential ability to know different aspects of a human psyche. Moreover, ability to obtain a relevant position of a forensic psychologist depends directly on personal features of an individual. It is very important for the modern scientists and researchers to shift the accents from the dominance of psychology to legal issues, which should be well-known for forensic psychologists, because their major is located in two different contexts, such as judicial and psychological ones. Works cited Bartol, Curt R. and Bartol, Anne M. (2008). Introduction to Forensic Psychology Research and Application.2nd Ed. Consulting Police Psychologist Guideline. (2011). http://theiacp.org/psych_services_section/pdfs/Psych-ConsultingPolicePsych.pdf Trompetter, Philip S. (2011). Police Psychologists: Roles and Responsibilities in a Law Enforcement Agency. Read More